There are many perks to being a University of Utah student or employee: discounted or free tickets to museums, plays, concerts, and other events; free public transit; discounts at local restaurants and stores; and beautiful views and endless outdoor recreation opportunities to name just a few. Did you know that access to expensive software for little to no cost is another?
The Office of Software Licensing (OSL), part of University Information Technology (UIT), has negotiated campus agreements with several software vendors to provide students, faculty, and staff access to certain products at no (or a greatly reduced) cost. The software can be used at work or home for personal use, depending on the agreement.
Below you’ll find links to some of OSL’s most popular free software options. To access a more comprehensive list, visit the Software Catalog (login required).
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud provides apps, web services, and resources for graphic design, photography, social media, user experience design, video editing, and more. All current students, staff, and faculty members can download the apps or access the suite, including 100GB of storage, online for free. Popular apps include:
- Acrobat Pro
- Adobe Express
- InDesign
- Illustrator
- Photoshop
- Premiere Pro
MathWorks
MathWorks is a suite of mathematical, graphical, and programming software designed for engineers and scientists. It’s free for current students, faculty, and staff. The package includes well-known apps like MATLAB and Simulink, as well as more than 100 companion products and services. Other products include:
- Polyspace
- SimEvents
- Stateflow
- Various MATLAB toolboxes
- Various Simulink toolboxes
- Online courses and tutorials
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is a suite of productivity software, collaboration tools, and cloud-based services that’s free for all current students, staff, and faculty members. Each user receives 1TB of secure storage (safe for sensitive and restricted data like student records and personal health information) and instant access to the Campus Directory, making it easier to connect with classmates and colleagues. Common apps include:
- Bookings
- Excel
- Forms
- OneNote
- Outlook
- PowerPoint
- SharePoint
- Teams
- Word
UBox
UBox is an online cloud storage and collaboration tool that provides users with the ability to easily store, access, and share files and folders anywhere on any device. All current students, staff, and faculty members are eligible for UBox accounts at no cost. UBox also is approved for sensitive and restricted data. Other features include:
- 1TB secure storage
- 50GB file size limit
- Permission levels
- Internal and external collaboration
- Version history
Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one communication and collaboration tool for audio and video calls/virtual meetings, team chats, digital whiteboards, and events. All current students, faculty, and staff may use Zoom for free. Those interested in webinars, large meetings, and other special features may need to request or purchase additional licensing. Helpful features include:
- Breakout rooms
- Integration with Microsoft 365
- Live transcription
- File sharing
- Recordings
- Screen sharing
Other free and discounted software
- DocuSign (campus faculty and staff; University of Utah Health employees for non-clinical use)
- EndNote
- Grammarly (graduate students only)
- LabArchives
- LabVIEW
- OriginPro
- Qualtrics Core XM
- SAS Education Analytical Suite (EAS)
- SAS JMP Pro Suite
- SPSS Amos
- SPSS Statistics Premium
- Security essentials
Some campus libraries also offer specialized software. Check their websites or contact them to find out what’s available for purchase or use in their computer labs.